Everything I Knew About Productivity Was a Lie
Forget everything you know about productivity, and read this
The reality is that productivity isn’t actually about the apps.
It’s not about having the most efficient method or being the most self-disciplined or driven person.
Those factors do help. But over the past three months, I’ve understood there is a secret to productivity and fulfillment.
So get yourself a cup of tea, and let’s discuss it.
To your knowledge (or lack thereof), I am currently immersed in the process of penning a book on the topic of productivity.
So, over the past few months, I’ve given a lot of thought to what, exactly, productivity means to me. And the biggest realization I’ve had is that, to be honest;
Productivity isn’t actually about getting more things done. Mostly, it’s about discovering how to take pleasure in the process.
We are more productive when we enjoy the process.
Fun in our work makes us more productive; thus, finding ways to make our job enjoyable is crucial. And this is pretty clear, right?
We are seldom concerned about our productivity when having fun, whether being with friends, watching A movie, or playing online games.
We never stress about motivation. We never say things like, — Hey! I need some inspiration to enjoy the next series of Netflix or play War Zone with the fellas.
We only genuinely require “motivation” for actions that are challenging in the short term but beneficial in the long run.
Due to our collective obsession with immediate enjoyment, people are also utterly incapable of inspiring themselves to take actions that will benefit their future selves.
When I reflect on my life over the past 30 years and how I manage my writing, business ventures, side hustles, and other activities that people approach me about, none of it doesn’t feel very good.
Nothing seems to be a grind. Nothing about it feels like work or like it’s being rushed — Because it honestly doesn’t feel like work since it’s joyful.
And that raises the question of, uh, how do we genuinely relish what we’re doing?
How to enjoy what we do?
There are again two practical approaches to dealing with this, so I’m pleased you asked.
Discover your passion and pursue it by doing what you enjoy is the first lesson books and other materials will give you. That’s a possible approach.
Finding your passion and pursuing it is a common way of thinking, yet many people do not understand their passion.
I’m not sure what my passion is or what I’m passionate about. I believe there is a second strategy, and I have been employing it most of my life.
(The real secret to productivity) —
The second strategy entails learning to relish what you’re doing instead of simply performing what you find enjoyable.
This method is fantastic because it doesn’t depend on your external factors or your level of entitlement.
Simple mental adjustments, tweaks to our physical surroundings, and a few well-placed nudges are all that are required to increase our passion for our daily activities.
That is, in fact, the ultimate secret of productivity. Productivity will take care of itself when you learn to enjoy the process and have fun along the way rather than focusing on the end goal.